We monitor the levels of eight heavy metals (nickel, chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony and cobalt) in every batch of every cosmetic product to minimise the risk of allergic reactions and to help protect even the most sensitive skin.
In all our products, heavy metal levels are well below the limits set out in the three most authoritative guidelines currently available.(1)
Our tests
Before approval, all our formulations undergo a series of tests to assess their tolerability, efficacy and sensory appeal.
Specifically, we carry out the following tests:
Accelerated stability testing: the product is subjected to a range of physical stresses and monitored for six months to assess how well it adapts to and withstands them. These tests simulate the conditions to which the product may be exposed over time, ensuring its quality remains intact even after a long period on the shelf.
Microbiological stability testing: the formulation undergoes intensive microbiological challenge testing to verify the preservative system’s ability to withstand contamination that may occur during use.
Instrumental clinical testing: all our products undergo rigorous in vitro and in vivo testing to assess tolerability, efficacy and sensory appeal. The results are assessed at the University of Pavia, with healthy volunteers who test our products under medical supervision in accordance with strict protocols tailored to the type of cosmetic product. The volunteers also complete a self-assessment to rate how pleasant the products are to use.
Stability testing in the final packaging: we assess interactions between the product and its packaging to verify compatibility.
Once the cosmetic formulas have been approved, the production process begins. Chemical, physical and microbiological quality control continues to play an essential role at every stage, from the analysis of ingredients to the finished product. If all the required criteria are met, the product is officially approved for sale.
(1) Guidance on Heavy Metal Impurities in Cosmetics (Health Canada 2009); Kosmetische Mittel: BfR empfiehlt Schwermetallgehalte über Reinheitsanforderungen der Ausgangsstoffe zu regeln (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung 2006); Proposta di limiti ammissibili per alcuni elementi tossici inquinanti nei prodotti cosmetici (Istituto Superiore della Sanità 2006).
